Irete Youths Set Afire Parts Of Arugo Motor Park Over Brother’s Murder

Dan Opara

…says no peace for Ohaji/Egbema youths hiding under NURTW

On Tuesday, March 8th, 2022, at about 10:00 hours, an eye witness account told journalists that some angry youths from Irete Autonomous Community in Owerri West LGA of Imo State, numbering over 200 persons have aggressively set part of Arugo Park ablaze over the killing of one of their brothers by some persons alleged to be NURTW task force operators.

The victim, from Umunkweye Irete, Mr. Uzoma Onyeagucha, was said to be a brother to the commercial bus operator who was caught and intercepted by some persons alleged to be NURTW taskforce operators along Owerri/Onitsha Express Way.

Victim Onyeagucha, a 45 years old father of seven (7) children, unfortunately, met his Waterloo when trouble and quarreling that led to fighting triggered his death by some person union members as alleged.

About twelve (12) locked up shops were set afire at the time of filing this report, but the news had it that firefighters who were contacted stormed the park immediately and quenched the fiery fire.

The Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Imo State, Hon. Sam Udeh (Ezeumuokorobia) in his proactive nature moved into action by ensuring tranquility, peace, and decorum within and around the Arugo Motor Park axis and its environs.

Udeh, further as part of establishing peace invited the security personnel who curbed the tension, whereas the State and Federal Fire Services effectively put an end to the burning fire.

Still at the scene at Arugo Park, the Imo State Commissioner for Transport, Hon.Barr.Rex Anunobi (Sokom) also drove to the scene, appealed to the angry youths of Irete to maintain peace, even as he assured justice over the demise of their late brother.

The Transportation Commissioner, however, seized the opportunity invited the youths of Irete to send some delegates to his Owerri office so as have a better understanding on the way forward, disclosed that his office shall communicate to the office of the Imo State Governor, Sen.Hope Uzodinma for onward rewards and adequate compensation of the deceased family, but enjoined the youths to remain calm.

Meanwhile, it could be recalled that the office of the Transportation Commissioner last week officially announced the suspension of all union taskforces in Imo State until further notice.

But surprisingly, some people supposed to be sponsored by the members of the opposition political parties who kept deaf ears have ceaselessly sworn to trigger troubles through the transport sector, claiming to be members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers,NURTW, in Imo State.

A critical stakeholder of the Imo NURTW who pleaded his name not to be mentioned, said, ” We are very much aware that the government via the Commissioner for Transport banned all forms of task forces operating in the state;

The union members strictly obeyed the instructions from the government but we are very surprised at the illegal movements of taskforce operators. We know that those parading themselves as union taskforce team are not from NURTW but from the opposition political party who are poised to cause mayhem in the state”.

In a related development, News reports said members of the National Union who stormed the scene at Arugo Motor Park at the time of the crisis, confirmed that no member of the Road Union was amongst the illegal taskforce operators who fought and killed a brother to the commercial bus driver from Irete.

It was gathered that the victim who rushed to the Federal Medical Center,FMC, Owerri, died in the process of receiving some medical treatment.

His body has been deposited in the morgue at the same hospital, whereas the youths of Irete are bitterly threatening to fight dirty with the youths of Ohaji/Egbema living in their area.